St. Louis, Missouri, the Gateway to the West, is known for more than just toasted ravioli and the Arch.
It’s home to some of the wealthiest individuals in the United States, who made their fortunes across industries like tech, construction, food, and finance.
Below, we’ve ranked the 9 richest people in the St. Louis area by net worth, using Forbes’ billionaire estimates as of August 2026. Net worth moves with the markets, so treat these as a dated snapshot rather than a fixed scoreboard: eight of the nine are worth more than when we first compiled this list in December 2024, and the order has shifted since.
Let’s dive into the lives of the top 9 wealthiest people in St. Louis:
- David Steward: $12.4 billion
- Pauline MacMillan Keinath: $9.4 billion
- Jim Kavanaugh: $7.7 billion
- Jack Dorsey: $7.4 billion
- Rodger Riney: $4.2 billion
- Robert G. Clark: $3.7 billion
- Sam Altman: $3.3 billion
- David Hoffmann: $2.6 billion
- Jim McKelvey: $1.8 billion
1. David Steward – $12.4 Billion
Leading the pack as the wealthiest person in St. Louis, David Steward’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
He was born in Chicago, IL in 1951 but raised in Missouri. Steward grew up on a farm in his mother’s hometown of Clinton, MO.
Steward’s humble beginnings included watching his father work as a mechanic, janitor, and trash collector.
The family lived in a small house on the edge of town with no plumbing or heating. They raised cows and pigs, churned their butter, and grew vegetables.
Despite the challenges of his upbringing, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri University and embarked on a career in sales.
In 1990, Steward co-founded World Wide Technology, a $20 billion IT provider servicing clients like Citi, Verizon, and the federal government.
As the chairman of IT at WWT, he oversees a global powerhouse while remaining dedicated to philanthropy, including a $1.3 million donation to the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
His incredible 20,000-square-foot mansion in Ladue reflects his success, making him the richest person in Missouri and an inspiration across the United States.
2. Pauline MacMillan Keinath – $9.4 Billion
Heiress to the Cargill fortune, Pauline MacMillan Keinath holds an estimated net worth of $9.4 billion, per Forbes in August 2026.
As a great-granddaughter of W.W. Cargill, founder of the largest food company in the United States, Keinath owns an estimated 13% stake in the business.
The wider Cargill-MacMillan family is worth more than $65 billion between them, per Forbes in 2026, with 21 billionaires among the heirs.
While the Cargill empire began as a grain storage company, it has since expanded to dominate the global food production industry.
Keinath lives in Des Peres, a charming suburb of St. Louis, quietly managing her stake in the family business.
Her wealth ranks her among the wealthiest women in the world.
Ladue, Clayton, Frontenac: See What Life Costs at the Top.
Explore Ladue3. Jim Kavanaugh – $7.7 Billion
Jim Kavanaugh’s story starts in a parking lot across from what is now the CITYPARK soccer stadium.
He’s not only a co-founder of World Wide Technology but also a minority investor in St. Louis CITY SC, the city’s MLS team.
With an estimated net worth of $7.7 billion as of August 2026, Kavanaugh’s impact on St. Louis extends from tech innovation to community investment.
Under Kavanaugh’s leadership, WWT invests heavily in AI, aiming to transform industries worldwide.
A graduate of St. Louis University, Kavanaugh exemplifies how local roots can grow into global influence.
4. Jack Dorsey – $7.4 Billion
A tech visionary, Jack Dorsey is best known as the co-founder of Twitter and Block Inc. (formerly Square).
With an estimated net worth of $7.4 billion as of August 2026, Dorsey’s journey from his early days at Bishop DuBourg High School to creating Big Tech giants has been remarkable.
Dorsey’s passion for technology began young, developing open-source programs in high school and pursuing studies in New York.
He dropped out of NYU to revolutionize social media and digital payments.
Today his ventures centre on Block, the payments company he co-founded as Square, and on bitcoin. He backed the decentralised social network Bluesky early on, but left its board in May 2024.
Dorsey’s influence extends far beyond St. Louis, making him a fixture on the Forbes list of billionaires.
5. Rodger Riney – $4.2 Billion
Rodger Riney, the founder of Scottrade, built his fortune by making investing more accessible to the average Joe.
Starting in 1980, Riney’s brokerage firm grew exponentially, partly thanks to its online platform launched in 1996.
In 2017, Scottrade was acquired by TD Ameritrade, solidifying Riney’s spot among the richest people in St. Louis.
Post-Scottrade, Riney has focused on philanthropy and strategic investments, including funding cancer research.
His journey from Missouri’s deregulated brokerage industry to the Forbes Billionaires List highlights his knack for identifying opportunities and turning them into lasting success.
6. Bob Clark – $3.7 Billion
Bob Clark started Clayco in 1984, growing it into one of the largest construction firms in the country.
A Bridgeton native, Clark owns roughly half of the company, which has taken on projects like the Washington University School of Medicine and Amazon e-commerce centers.
Clark’s entrepreneurial spirit and eye for design have made Clayco a leader in architecture and construction.
His brief stint as the U.S. commissioner general at Expo 2020 Dubai further demonstrates his global reach.
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Meet Our Agents7. Sam Altman – $3.3 Billion
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has seen the sharpest rise on this list: Forbes put him at $3.3 billion in August 2026, against $1.1 billion when we first compiled it in December 2024.
Though born in Chicago, Altman grew up in St. Louis and attended John Burroughs School in Ladue.
After a brief stint at Stanford, he dropped out and co-founded OpenAI in 2015, reshaping the field of artificial intelligence.
Altman’s investments in Big Tech companies like Airbnb and Stripe, combined with his advocacy for a universal basic income, make him a dynamic figure in the tech world.
His roots in the Show-Me State remain a key part of his background.
8. David Hoffmann – $2.6 Billion
David Hoffmann’s story is rooted in Washington, MO, where he grew up as the son of a milk truck driver.
Today, he is the chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, overseeing a network of brands and real estate ventures nationwide.
Hoffmann’s entrepreneurial ventures span executive recruiting, private equity, and commercial real estate, revitalizing communities across the United States.
With an estimated net worth of $2.6 billion as of August 2026, he continues to make his mark locally and nationally.
9. Jim McKelvey – $1.8 Billion
A serial entrepreneur and Washington University alum, Jim McKelvey co-founded Block Inc. alongside Jack Dorsey in 2009.
Known for its groundbreaking payment solutions, Block revolutionized how small businesses process transactions.
McKelvey later founded Invisibly, a data-focused startup aimed at empowering consumers.
His estimated net worth of $1.8 billion in August 2026 places him among the wealthiest innovators in STL, and makes him the only person on this list worth less than when we first compiled it.
His ventures reflect a deep commitment to innovation and solving complex problems, from digital wallets to consumer engagement.
Honorable Mentions
While the top 9 wealthiest people in St. Louis are impressive, others like Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops and Ann Walton Kroenke contribute to Missouri’s reputation as a billionaire hub.
Whether through tech, real estate, or retail, the Show-Me State continues to produce innovators who leave a lasting legacy.
From the chairman of IT at World Wide Technology to heirs of food empires, the richest people in St. Louis showcase an incredible range of talent and determination.
As these wealthiest individuals continue to grow their influence, they inspire others to dream big, right here in the heart of the Midwest.
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